Black-necked aracari

Pteroglossus aracari

Photo by Fabiano Guimarães (Aves da Zona da Mata Mineira)

Common name:
black-necked aracari (en); araçari-de-bico-branco (pt); araçari grigri (fr); arasarí cuellinegro (es); schwarzkehlarassari (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Piciformes
Family Ramphastidae


Range:
This South American species is found from eastern Venezuela and through the Guyanas, into Mato Grosso and Goiás in central Brazil. There is also a disjunct population in south-eastern Brazil.


Size:
These birds are 35-46 cm long and weigh 180-310 g.


Habitat:
Black-necked aracaris are mostly found in tropical and sub-tropical moist lowland forests, but also in dry forests, dry savannas and even in plantations. They are mostly found from sea level up to an altitude of 600 m but can sometimes be found as high as 1.000 m above sea level.


Diet:
They are mostly frugivorous, taking a wide variety of forest fruits, but will also hunt some insects.


Breeding:
The black-necked aracari breeds in February-August. They nest in tree hollows, often using old woodpecker nests. The nest is usually 7-12 m above the ground. The female lays 2-4 white eggs, which are incubated by both parents for 16-17 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 40-42 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and, although he global population size has not been quantified, it is described as common. The south-eastern subspecies P. a. vergens is suspected to be in decline due to severe habitat fragmentation caused by farming and urbanisation. The species is also hunted throughout its range but it is not considered threatened at present.